A wish for Gabbie

Here's a radio documentary that I did in my final term at J-School.

It's about a family in Waterloo has just one wish – to cure their three-year-old daughter’s disease. Cystinosis is a rare genetic disorder that affects about fifty people - mostly children – in Canada and approximately two thousand worldwide.

Bollywood Breakdown - The Love Song

In our second episode, Mariam and Carl decode an important part of Bollywood - the love song, as well as giving their top 10 picks in the last decade.

Below are Youtube links to the videos with English subtitles:
10)Jashn-e-bahara - Jodha Akbar
9) Suraj Hua Madham - K3G
8) Bol Na Halke Halke - Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
7) Roshni Se - Asoka
5) Zara Zara - Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein
5) Kal Ho Na Ho - Kal Ho Na Ho
4) Tum Se Hi - Jab We Met
3) Khuda Jaane - Bachna Ae Haseeno
2) Main Agar Kahoon - Om Shanti Om
1) Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

This was aired on CHRW during the Arts Bulletin on April 12, 2011.

The lowdown on zines

As a part of our current affairs show, I was assigned a field piece. So tipped off by my classmate Ed (of von Something-something), I set off to the Indie Media fair at the London Central Library.

And here's what I came up with:

This was aired on CHRW on April 6th, 2011 and as a part of the Arts Bulletin on April 12th, 2011.

Decoder Episode 1

In this episode:
- How London's politicians use Twitter
- What is a zine?
- The power of 'Like' button on Facebook

Join hosts Ian and Meg as they decode the media's message.

Credits:
Hosts: Ian Jacobs and Meg Radford
Sound: Ed von Aderkas
Producer/Director: Angela Richardson
Stories by:
Political tweets - Alix Matthews-Mahe
Zines - Mariam Ahmad
Social Capital - Bethany Cairns and Matt Walker

Aired on CHRW on April 6th, 2011.

Almost done and Potterwatch

A year ago, I was in Dubai packing my life up into two suitcases and heading over to London (Ontario, not UK) to begin a new life as a journalist.

Now I'm almost at the end of my degree and I've certainly come a long way. So have my classmates. Some have launched online portfolios, while other have started podcasts (as you can see on the links sidebar). We've begun collaborations and in a sense formed an informal media network, with a variety of content and programming.

So do check out my classmates' podcast, Potterwatch. I've made a guest appearance:

Bollywood Breakdown - 7 Khoon Maaf

This is Bollywood Breakdown - your guide to decoding Indian cinema.

Mariam Ahmad and Carl Haggman decode 7 Khoon Maaf (Seven Murders Forgiven).

7 Khoon Maaf is a black comedy drama thriller film directed by Vishal Bhardwaj, starring Priyanka Chopra as a femme fatale, who goes on to kill all her 7 husbands.

Aired on March 8th 2011 during the Arts Bulletin on CHRW.

Special Thanks to Wendie Crouch.

The Cake is a lie, but the learning is real

On February 10th 2011, Digital Extremes invited renowned literacy expert Dr. James Gee to speak at Museum London.

The topic – how videogames can make us better teachers. Mariam Ahmad has more.

Aired on February 15th, 2011 during the Arts Bulletin on CHRW.

Politics of Methadone

Check our group project on methadone clinics in London:

A for profit group is challenging the city's one-year ban on new methadone clinics.

Read more here.

Tears for Egypt

Check out our group project on the Egypt protests here.

Tears for Egypt

As violence erupts on the streets of Cairo, Egyptians in London hope for change but fear for their loved ones.